We just got rid of a couch in our spring cleaning a couple months ago. Then I came home with this. But believe me. This was a huge upgrade from the one we got rid of. I saw this at the thrift store and passed it a couple times. For $20 I had to buy it. My conflict with purchasing the couch wasn’t whether I loved it or not. It was whether we had a place for it. But you know what? I made room.
I want to eventually reupholster it because it smells like the nursing home and it has stains in the fabric. Also because Nathan isn’t very fond of the yellow. As I researched reupholstering, I discovered that it’s not something people do much of any more. So sad. It made me want to learn the craft and reupholster this couch.
This green chair and set of yellow luggage were also awesome finds from the thrift store. The luggage was $3.79 for the set. The green chair was $2.98. It’s missing a cushion. I would like to paint the chair and reupholster. So while I’m doing that, I’ll make a cushion for it too. I’m not sure what color yet. Don’t tell Nathan, but I would really like to repaint our living room and kitchen then decided what colors to reupholster the couch and chair because they will eventually go in the same room. As for now, Elle uses the luggage as a slide and to play king of the mountain.
Lastly, back in March, my mom called me and asked, “Hey Tiffany, there’s a piano here at the thrift store for $25. Do you want me to get it?” I asked Nathan if he would be interested in it. He was astonished. “For $25?! Of course!” Apparently, the store had sold this piano once before. But the previous buyer didn’t pick it up for several weeks. Their policy was they would hold it for 24 hours. So they resold it to us. Awesome. It’s a Henry Miller piano. Nothing fancy. It didn’t come with a bench, but my grandpa said he could make me one for $45. Even better. It is also missing the bookstand. We will need to get it tuned and a few minor fixes with the inside of the piano.
» Tell me… Have you reupholstered anything before? What was your experience like? Do you have any tips for me in reupholstering the couch and chair?
I would like to know what thirft stores have stuff this cheap!?!? Where I live, thrift stores don’t have much of anything. Perhaps because set designers clean these places out???
Great finds- especially the piano! I’ve never reupholstered anything. I did nail some fabric to styrofoam to make a headboard but I’m sure that doesn’t count! Good luck.
I took a reupholstery class in college 14 years ago. Wow, can’t believe it’s been that long, but that’s beside the point – You can take the yellow pieces off, use them as patterns – cut a little bit bigger, maybe recushion at the same time, or wrap existing cushions with batting, then reassemble. Just make sure you buy enough fabric, and make sure you don’t turn any of it – that it’s oriented the same way all along the couch.
Have you looked on the web, or at your local library for a book? I had a great textbook that explained all of it. Fun stuff!
Tiffany – I reupholstered a piano bench last fall. A staple gun was my best friend! Wish I was there to help/experiment with you. The couch looks like a great find!
I just recently reupholstered a living room chair, though I admit I think mine was simpler than your couch will be! Get some good books from your library, esp. if you don’t have anyone whose upholstered before to help you. If you want to be FANATICAL about it, esp. if you’re using a high dollar fabric, you can make a practice run with cheap fabric to make sure you do it right with your real fabric. That’s what my great grandmother did, I just don’t have that patience. Make sure to mark every piece of fabric the moment you take it off the couch so you don’t get confused and accidentally cut something in the wrong direction. I’m speaking from experience
Good luck!
Those are amazing finds. I’ve never reapolstered anything but there is some very talented ladies that have a blog that’s worth checking out. They take thrifted furniture and turn it into Fabulous!!!! There website is http://www.allthingsthrify.com
They have great tutorials on how to reapolster and many other great things! Good luck, I hope this helps.
Good Hunting! Love the chair- could see so many options to giving it a modern makeover!
I also have a upholstered chair that I picked up that I would love to reupholster and refinish the legs. I even have the fabric… need to make the time… I did also hear that the best way to do it is by taking the pieces and using them as patterns…Good luck!